Job Description

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Description

The SFC is currently looking for a new external member to join its Audit & Risk Committee (ARC).The ARC is a sub-committee of the SFC Board and advises the Board by reviewing the comprehensiveness and reliability of assurance on governance, risk management, the control environment and the integrity of financial statements and annual report and accounts.###

Key Responsibilities

We are looking for our new ARC member to contribute to the high level oversight of control arrangements to support management and provide assurance to the SFC Board. Specifically, external members of the ARC will be involved in:Providing assurance to the Board on the annual financial statements, the annual report and accounts of the organisation, including the process for review of the accounts prior to submission to the Board Providing high level oversight to ensure adequate and effective arrangements are in place for risk management Reviewing internal audit reports and seek assurance that the recommended management actions are satisfactorily dealt with Reviewing the effectiveness of internal and external audit, including that the committee will make recommendations on the appointment/ re appointment of the external audit.

The standing orders and remit of the ARC are available here: Audit and Risk Committee - Scottish Funding Council.

As an external member of the ARC you would be expected to make a full contribution to the work of the committee and bring relevant expertise and experience to this key area of work.

This is an unremunerated role (travel and expenses incurred through the attendance of meetings will be reimbursed) and offers a unique opportunity to work with dedicated and expert colleagues supporting the vital work of our Board. The ARC meets four times a year and the committee meetings are a mix of in person and virtual.

Committee meetings planned for 2025/ 2026 are due to take place on the following dates:
Friday 5th September 2025
Friday 12th December 2025
Committee dates for 2026 are currently being finalised, but it is expected that meetings will take place in February and June, September and November.###

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

It is important through your CV / Personal Statement that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:

Essential Criteria

Accounting experience, particularly in respect of financial management and financial reporting. Skills and experience in relation to finance, governance, risk management and internal controls. Excellent analytical skills and the ability to interrogate and interpret complex information and participate fully in Committee deliberations. Effective interpersonal and communication skills, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively, identify key issues and reach balanced conclusions.
At least one of these:Knowledge of information technology or information management. Knowledge or experience of the tertiary education sector. Knowledge or experience of audit and audit practices. Proven ability to work effectively within the public sector requirements for accountability and openness and within financial constraints.
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Additional Information

Further information about the committee and its current members can be found on our website . Applicants are required to submit their CV and provide a short personal statement (no more than 500 words) setting out an overview of the skills and knowledge that they have to offer and why they feel suitable to serve on this committee.

Key Dates

Vacancies close Thursday 17th July 2025
Applications shortlisted Monday 21st July 2025
Interviews to take place Wednesday 6th August 2025
Induction with SFC Officers and ARC Chair to take place week commencing 25th August 2025
Successful candidates attend first ARC meeting Friday 5th September 2025 (in Apex 1, Haymarket).###

About Scottish Funding Council

We are the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council, more commonly known as the Scottish Funding Council (SFC).



We are Scotland's tertiary education and research authority and our purpose is to sustain a world-leading system of tertiary education, research and innovation that enables students to flourish, changes lives for the better, and supports social, economic and environmental wellbeing and prosperity.

We do this by investing around 2 billion of public money to deliver:Tertiary learning and teaching. Skills and apprenticeships. Student support and participation. Research, innovation and knowledge exchange. Data collection and dissemination. National quality assurance and enhancement processes. Capital and digital infrastructure for the sector. Strategic change, responsive provision and research priorities.
As a non-departmental public body established by the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 2005, we are directly accountable to Scottish Government Ministers and the Scottish Parliament. We work across many government portfolios and are sponsored by the Lifelong Learning Directorate.

We hold colleges, universities and other funded bodies to account for their delivery of required outcomes. We are also the statistical authority for colleges, and work closely with the UK-wide Higher Education Statistical Authority (HESA), to provide data and statistics for government, decision-makers, and the wider public.

We work in partnership with a wide range of partners and bodies, including those we fund, across all aspects of our remit.

General information for applicants for SFC roles

You must already be eligible to work in the UK to apply for these roles.

SFC do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skills Worker License and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.



We are pleased to support applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, race and ethnicity, socio-economic background, gender, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, as well as those who have skills in Scottish Gaelic or British Sign Language, who have the right skills for the job.


We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and actively encourage interviews through the scheme.


Further information about SFC is available on our website Scottish Funding Council home page (sfc.ac.uk). Additional information about our recruitment process can be found at Recruitment FAQs | Scottish Funding Council Careers (sfc.ac.uk).